Device and apparatus for infant placement

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an infant placement device for preventing infant roll over that may include: an under support padding; at least two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding; and a means to secure an infant onto the support padding. The means to secure the infant may include two crossing straps, or alternatively two straps and a torso cover. The upper support padding may include a head support pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length of the placement device. In one exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. The bedding support may also include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include an audio system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a device and apparatus directed towardinfant safety.

2. Description of Related Art

Safety is of paramount importance when handling and caring for infants.Specially designed devices directed towards infants are abundant andinclude cribs, car seats, rockers, playpens, walkers, infant tubes,flotation devices, high chairs, boosters and strollers to name a few.Most of these devices account for special risks related to infants andtheir care.

One area of concern involves the placement of an infant onto a flatservice such as a bed or a changing table for a short period of time. Anadult may normally place the child in such a position temporarily,however the adult must remain close by within arms reach to prevent thechild from possibly rolling off the edge of the bed or table. Theattending adult may desire to leave beyond that range of reachmomentarily to retrieve something or possibly attend to another child.Allowing the infant to remain in the position unattended could haveserious consequences if the infant should suddenly move or roll over.Although the marketplace is abundant with infant related devices thereremains a need for such a device or apparatus to assist an adult in theabove situation, particularly a device that provides a means to securelykeep the child in a safe position while reclining on their back on achanging table or a bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infant placement device forpreventing infant roll over comprising: an under support padding; atleast two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding;and a means to secure an infant onto the support padding. The means tosecure the infant may include two crossing straps, or alternatively twostraps and a torso cover. The upper support padding may include a headsupport pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extendsthe entire length of the placement device. In one exemplary embodiment,the head support pillow may include a first side which is substantiallyflat and a second side which is substantially concaved. The beddingsupport may also include a first side which is substantially flat and asecond side which is substantially concaved. In yet another exemplaryembodiment, the head support pillow may include an audio system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an infant placement device accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows an elevational view of the infant placement deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the infant placement device with anamusement device attached.

FIG. 3A shows a detailed view of a head support pillow according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B shows a detailed view of a bedding support according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3C shows a detailed view of attachment straps according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3D shows an alternative securing mechanism according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3E shows a detail of wing portions according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3F shows an audio cord according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative head support pillow according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative bedding support according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an infant placement device which securesthe infant while lying on their back. The infant placement deviceaccording to the present invention prevents babies from rolling off flatsurfaces such as a table or a bed when placed in that positiontemporarily by an attending adult. The infant placement device providesa means to secure the infant while the adult may leave the childunattended for a temporary period of time.

An infant placement device 10 according to the present invention isdepicted in FIG. 1. The infant placement device 10 includes two wingportions 10 a, 10 b which stretch outwardly from a center under support.The wing portions 10 a, 10 b secure the infant in a stationary positionwhile the infant is strapped into the infant placement device 10 viastraps 12 a, 12 b. As depicted, the straps 12 a, 12 b cross about theinfant's torso and secures the infant to the infant placement device 10.The wing portions 10 a, 10 b are of sufficient width that makes itextremely difficult if not impossible for the infant to roll over to itsstomach or roll from side to side while within the infant placementdevice 10. The infant placement device 10 includes a head support pillow22 which provides a supporting cushion for the infant's head.

The infant placement device 10 includes an under support 20 as depictedin FIG. 2A. The head support pillow 22 and bedding support 24 comprisethe under support 20 for the infant placement device 10. The beddingsupport 24 runs the length of the device and supplies a padded supportfor the infant while placed in the infant placement device 10. Thestraps 12 a, 12 b are depicted open to allow the placement of the infantonto the under support 20. In another exemplary embodiment, the infantplacement device 10 may include an amusement device that hangs over theinfant while within the infant placement device 10 as depicted in FIG.2B.

Detailed drawings of the head support pillow 22 and bedding support 24are depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As depicted, the head support pillow 22is substantially flat on the bottom side with a curved top side portionto allow the resting of the infant's head. Similarly, the beddingsupport 24 is substantially flat on its bottom side with a curve supportarea for the infant. In one alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the bedding support 24 may include an internal vibrator 24 a.The internal vibrator provides a vibration to help soothe the infantwhile resting in the infant placement device.

In another exemplary embodiment, alternative securing devices aredepicted in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The straps 12 a, 12 b are shown in FIG. 3Cand FIG. 3D depicts a chest cover 15. The chest cover 15 includes straps15 a, 15 b with a torso cover 15 c. The chest cover 15 provides analternate means to secure the infant into the infant placement device asopposed to straps 12 a, 12 b.

FIG. 3E shows a detailed view of the wing portions 10 a, 10 b. As notedthese wing portions 10 a, 10 b meet and are secured to the beddingsupport. The wing portions 10 a, 10 b remain substantially convex whenlaid on a flat surface as depicted in FIG. 3E. This convex shape helpsto provide further inertia to prevent the rolling of the infant whilewithin the infant placement device 10.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative infant placement device 10 according to thepresent invention. As noted in FIG. 4, the wing portions 10 a, 10 bstrike an alternative design but perform substantially the same purposeas in the previous embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The wing portions 10a, 10 b remain extending outwardly from the under support 20 and analternative securing strap is used, chest cover 15, to secure the infantinto the infant placement device 10. The straps 15 a, 15 b cross theinfant's chest area and attach to the torso strap 15 c to secure theinfant into the infant placement device 10. The under support 20 remainsconsistent with the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

In another exemplary embodiment, an alternative head support may beincorporated to help induce a comfortable and resting environment bysupplying audio sound. Such an embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. FIG. 5includes internal speakers 23 a, 23 b at each end of the head supportpillow 22. The speakers 23 a, 23 b are connected to a pocket iPodadapter receiver 25 that can receive an iPod adaptable cord 27 depictedin FIG. 3F. Consequently, the infant may receive sounds of music orotherwise through the internal speakers while resting in the infantplacement device 10.

Another feature contemplated by the present invention includes a beddingsupport 24 which breaks in the center so that once the infant is placedin the infant placement device 10, the bedding support gives slightly inthe center to surround the infant while resting in the infant placementdevice 10. The alternative bedding support 24 is depicted in FIG. 6.

The infant placement device according to present invention provides asafe and comfortable device for placement of an infant for a temporaryperiod of time. This unique device can help prevent serious injury andpossibly death of an infant who may be left temporarily unattended on aflat surface. In addition, the infant placement device may be easilypacked and strapped together for mobile use while traveling. The infantplacement device will be especially helpful if the infant is left at alocation away from his home where the baby may be placed on a bed or atable to rest and helps alleviate the concerns of the attending adult.

1. An infant placement device for preventing infant roll overcomprising: a. an under support padding; b. at least two wingedsupporting portions extending from the support padding; and c. a meansto secure an infant onto the support padding.
 2. The infant placementdevice according to claim 1, where the means to secure the infantincludes two crossing straps.
 3. The infant placement device accordingto claim 1, where the means to secure the infant includes two straps anda torso cover.
 4. The infant placement device according to claim 1,where the upper support padding includes a head support pillow and abedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length ofthe placement device.
 5. The infant placement device according to claim4, where the head support pillow includes a first side which issubstantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. 6.The infant placement device according to claim 4, where the beddingsupport includes a first side which is substantially flat and a secondside which is substantially concaved.
 7. The infant placement deviceaccording to claim 4, where the head support pillow includes an audiosystem.
 8. The infant placement device according to claim 7, where theaudio system includes at least two speakers and a receiving connector,where said receiving connector provides a means to connect an audioplayer.
 9. The infant placement device according to claim 4, where thebedding support includes an internal vibrator.
 10. The infant placementdevice according to claim 4, where the bedding support includes apartition.
 11. The infant placement device according to claim 1, wherethe winged portions includes two sides, a first side which issubstantially flat and a second side which is substantially convex. 12.The infant placement device according to claim 1, that further comprisesan overhanging amusement device.